Update: Initial Assessment of Irene Damage on Providence

216 calls for fallen trees and wires; A dozen roads reported limited or no access.

City of Providence officials are reporting an initial inventory of the damage left by Sunday's storm. City crews are continuing to remove fallen trees, limbs and branches from roadways as quickly as possible. So far, 216 calls for fallen trees, branches and wires have been received and a reported 381 fire runs were made for a 24-hour period during Hurricane Irene. As of noon, 29 local traffic signals and 44 state traffic signals were reported inoperable.

SPANISH TRANSLATION HERE | EN ESPANOL AQUI

Initial efforts are to make sure all roads are passable. Crews will begin removing trees from sidewalks and other areas as soon as all roadways are open. State roads and highways are largely passable and free.

The following roads and intersections in Providence have been reported as limited or no access areas due to downed utility wires:

• Carter (between Bucklin and Vineyard) (Passable)
• Armstrong
• Academy Avenue (Passable)
• Lloyd and Weymouth (Blocked)
• Lloyd and Edison (Blocked)
• Prairie at Thurber's (Passable)
• Ocean at Briggs (Blocked)
• Briggs & Cahill (Blocked)
• Inkerman Street (Passable)
• Benefit between Jencks and church (Passable)
• Irving (Blocked)
• Humboldt & Wayland (Blocked)

This morning, the City also notified citizens of its debris removal plan here: http://cityof.providenceri.com/mayor/debris-removal-plan-for-providence-...

City officials are working closely with National Grid to restore service throughout the city. As of 12PM today, National Grid reported that 10,427 customers were without power, a considerable improvement from 18,600 reported last night. The City is again urging residents to report any power outages to National Grid at 1-800-465-1212.

Please note that downed trees that are in or around wires cannot be moved until National Grid has confirmed that wires are safe. Citizens are urged to avoid downed power lines and take all safety precautions.

SCHOOL DELAY
Reminder that the first day of school for Providence has been moved to Wednesday, August 31.